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Change is hard and uncomfortable

In the past few years, I’ve become more open about my health issues with those around me but this is something I’ve been dealing with pretty much since I can remember. Growing up, I thought everyone’s body was like mine. It wasn’t until a few months before my 27th birthday that I realized something was wrong and I needed to put in work to fix it. This has been really tough! I stopped drinking for 18 months and saw a huge difference but it still wasn’t enough and it didn’t solve all the problems. I got cocky and started drinking again; not only did my symptoms come back immediately but they were significantly worse.

I have mixed IBS (both types of irritable bowel syndrome), severe acid reflux, hyper-acute anxiety, and OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder). I’d known about the anxiety and OCD for a few years and did some work on it in my early 20’s but it wasn’t until recently that I decided to really make a change in my life to tackle them (of course it had to get to a point that it was impacting my everyday life). The mixed IBS and acid reflux was news to me. Who knew it wasn’t normal to wake up throwing up and your chest burning or needing to poop 5-7 times a day? Not me.

I’m 28 years old and I already need to have a colonoscopy and endoscopy. This is something most people don’t experience until they’re in the 50’s or 60’s! On top of that, I have to start a Low-FODMAP diet (Fermentable Oligo-, Di-, Mono-saccharides And Polyols). FODMAPs are a group of fermentable carbs that aggravate gut symptoms in sensitive people. They’re found in almost every food I eat.

I’m seeing a dietitian at the end of the month to help me better identify what I can and cannot eat. Until then, I’m enjoying the foods I love because change is HARD and I’m not totally ready for it. Actually, that’s part of why I’m starting this blog! It’s a way to keep me accountable and I realize there are others out there going through the same thing or something similar while trying to manage their everyday life (work, family, school, friends, relationships, etc.). It’s hard to do, especially when you’re driven and like to have as much fun as I do.